App Showcase: Dext

What it does

Dext is a mobile app designed for small businesses and freelancers to streamline their financial paperwork. Its core function is to capture receipts, bills, and invoices, automatically extract key data like supplier, date, and amount, and then organize this information for easy bookkeeping. The app differentiates between 'Costs' and 'Sales' items, allowing users to manage both expenses and revenue documents in one place and compile them into expense reports.

Where it shines

The app excels at reducing friction during data entry. For example, when a user uploads an invoice that needs to be assigned to a new customer, they don't have to leave the workflow. Instead, they can add a new customer on the fly with a single name field (01:52), keeping the process smooth. Another strength is its flexibility. An item can be converted from 'Sales' to 'Costs' (05:53) or vice-versa with just a couple of taps, acknowledging that mistakes happen and making the system forgiving.

UX highlights

• Clear Empty States: The initial dashboard (01:02) provides a clean empty state with a clear call-to-action, guiding new users on exactly what to do first.
• Contextual Actions: Instead of a complex global menu, critical actions like 'Add a customer' (01:52) appear exactly when and where they are needed.
• Visual Onboarding Quiz: The onboarding quiz uses tappable cards with icons (00:43), making the mandatory data collection feel more interactive and less like a form.
• Consistent Feedback: The app provides consistent and non-intrusive toast notifications for key actions like an item being processed (04:16) or converted (04:28).
• Upfront Intent Scoping: By asking the user to choose between 'Costs' and 'Sales' before an upload (02:22), the app simplifies the subsequent categorization workflow.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is primarily driven by a subscription model, introduced after onboarding. A prominent banner on the home screen encourages users to start a free trial and 'Buy a plan' (01:08). The subscription screen (01:13) is straightforward, presenting two options: Monthly and Annual. It incentivizes the annual plan by highlighting a 'Save 20%' discount. The app also employs a standard rating prompt (02:40) after a user has successfully completed a core action, which is a common tactic for boosting App Store visibility.

Who it’s for

Dext is clearly targeted at freelancers, sole proprietors, and small business owners who are overwhelmed by paperwork. It serves as a digital shoebox for receipts and invoices, designed for those who need a simple way to digitize documents and prepare them for their accountant or for tax season. The inclusion of features like expense reports and accounting software options suggests it also caters to users who want a bit more control over their bookkeeping process without needing a full-fledged accounting suite.

Notes & opportunities

The onboarding process requires a full sign-up before the user can see or interact with the app (00:03). This creates significant initial friction and could be a point of drop-off for users who want to explore the app first. Additionally, after the first successful upload, the user is shown two consecutive modals (02:09 and 02:11), which can feel slightly overwhelming. Consolidating this post-upload feedback could create a smoother experience.